Cheap atmo project?

[Shifty]

Hey guys

I am taking a short break from driving and have an empty garage so I have three months to tinker. I want to build something that will look tidy enough and be fun but cost fuck-all. My requirements:

* Toyota chassis
* Toyota engine
* atmo 4cyl, EFI, factory ECU
* Something I can buy for a few hundred
* Something I can get parts for easily (eg. bushes/balljoints/tierods @ Autobarn, panels from wrecker)
* Something for which there is a fairly easy drivetrain upgrade available, but not after blinding speed... a 4AGE or something would be heaps.

I'm thinking maybe an AE82 hatch, or a KE70/AE71?

How hard is it to put a 7AFE into an AE71, or AE82? Any issues?

Thoughts/comments/etc............................................... ...

[Shifty]

Ok well I've done some looking and the most realistic options are

AE82 with a A-series engine
KE70/AE71 with A-series engine

Both weigh in around the mid-high 900kg mark, and I'd say a further 50kg could come out fairly easily being mid-low 900kg mark in the end. That's say 10-15% lighter than an SX or GTi both of which go quite well.

A 100kw/20V/7AFE would liven things up a touch but still retain factory fit & finish and Toyota reliability.

[JP]

7afe in RWD you run into the same distributor/cooling system issues faced with converting a 20V to RWD.

[gearb0x]

If rwd isnt required just find a flogged out twincam ae82 for cheap cheap and bobs your auntie

[gianttomato]

AE82 would be cheapest option.

If you're after RWD, AE70 with 4AG.

[tomvale13]

Stripped out ep91 with an A series motor would weigh about 800kg, maybe less..


LSD, imperetive.

[The Witzl]

For RWD, 4A-GE AE71 / KE70 would be the choice
For FWD, AE82 twincam, without a doubt.

[rthy]

+1 for ae82
alot of the cool parts are pretty cheap and not taxed.

[Shifty]

For RWD, 4A-GE AE71 / KE70 would be the choice
For FWD, AE82 twincam, without a doubt.

An AE82 Twincam would be the ideal car, but they're pretty dear to buy into. One that's half-decent is gouing to be up around $2k and still need a fair bit of work. At least if I start with a base-model AE82 I have the pick of heaps to get one that's rust free/straight/good paint and then put in a 20v or whatever is going cheap when I get to motor stage.

On a car of the age all the suspension, brakes, etc, need to be completely replaced anyway so starting with a Twin Cam maybe isn't so important in that case? the only things I can think I'll miss are the factory strut brace and four-wheel-discs (I assume they have them).

[Shifty]

OK, so brake upgrades look simple - AE92 rear discs go straight on and there's a front brake upgrade available too.

[gianttomato]

Tacho dash, factory alloys - although you'd get that on a CS-X - which would sell for the same price and have a 4AFC/E. Ghey concept.

[Shifty]

I was thinking for a $300 CS or whatever the base model is.

[gianttomato]

Other option would be a 160 series SX Celica - very highly rated back when they came out. I remember reading one magazine review that said it "nearly handled as well as a RWD car"...

[Sagluren]

but then you are driving around in a hairdressers car.

go the rolla.

cheers.

[evers]

there are a few ketos for sale on rollaclub mate have a sus (y)